Wear measuring device



Oct. 29. 1940. v E. F. HATHAWAY El AL 2,220,040

WEAR MEASURING DEVICE Original Filed Nov. 50, 1937 GSheets-Sheet 1 w 1 i 2 ffleniprs: i as zliaaaw Waievflan'acfz 29. 1940 E. F. HATHAWAY El AL 0 WEAR MEASURING DEVICE OriginalFiled NOV. 30, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Izabeeafizrs:

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Oct 29. 1 v E. F.- HATYHAWAY El AL 2,220,040

WEAR IEASURING DEVICE Original Filed Nov. 30, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 lzwezaiors:

Edgar 1 Hmong),

77024 222 .BzixZz Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WEAR MEASURING DEVICE Original application November 30, 1937, Serial No.

177,376. Divided and this application ary 8, 1939, Serial No. 255,272

21 Claims.-

Our present invention relates to testing the wearing qualities of various sheet materials such as fabrics, webbing, floor coverings and others, by effecting Wear on them analagous to that expected in actual use, and more particularly to the measuring and recording of such wear. This application is a division of our copending application Serial No. 177,376 filed November 30, 1937.

In the drawings illustrating by way of example certain embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the upper portion of one form of the wear testing apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the immediately lower portion of the apparatus, including the support for the specimen, the wearing element and the wear measuring instrument, Fig. 2 being in effect a downward continuation of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, on a smaller scale of the lower portion of the apparatus, including the cabinet base and its movable mounting, the receiving end of the dust-collecting system, and showing the general arrangement of the operating and control mechanism;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the recorder drum and marking device;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are elevations of the wear measuring feeler, illustrating three different positions of adjustment, giving different charting ratios; and

Figs. 8 to 11 illustrate operating and control mechanism for the wear-measuring feeler, whereby the machine may be set to effect wear measurenients at different times, wherein Fig. 8 is a View partly in plan and partly in horizontal section of a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 3, on a larger scale,

Fig. 9 is a View, mainly in elevation, of the mechanism of Fig. 3 seen as if looking at Fig. 8

from a position facing toward the top of the sheet,

Fig. 10 shows a portion of the mechanism of Fig. 9, as if viewed from the right of said figure. and

Fig. 11 is an exploded view of a timing unit seen in Figs. 8 to 10.

The apparatus as herein illustrated includes a lower supporting portion comprising suitable framing and an enclosing cabinet I, see particularly Fig. 3, in which the main operating parts are housed. As in the previous application the device as a whole may be set on wheels or castors for readily shifting it to various points of use. Supported on the framing and closing in the top of the cabinet I is a table or platform 2, Fig. 2, on or about which the wearing, measuring and Februrecording instrumentalities are disposed. It will be noted that Figs. 1 and 2 are views looking at the apparatus from one corner of the base portion.

The fabric or other specimen to be tested is secured flatwise on a platen or specimen-holder 3 above and substantially central of the platform 2 and supported for movement in its own horizontal plane in a similar manner as in the preceding application. In view of the full disclosure in said application it is suificient for present purposes to note that the platen 3 as a whole receives a sinuous movement in a closed path, this movement being compounded of that of a crosshead. which is movable on guides on the platform 2 in one and the reverse directions, and which in turn supports the platen for movement at right angles relatively to the crosshead. These relative movements and the total resulting compound movement of the platen are produced by cam mechanism in the base portion similarly as in our previous application, now Patent No. 2,100,332, with which the parent application above identified was copending.

As partially shown in Fig. 3, sufficiently for an understanding of the present invention, said' mechanism includes cam levers, one set of which is seen at 6, cooperating with cam tracks in the upper and lower faces of the platen cam l on a main vertical shaft 8. This shaft is driven by a worm gear 9 meshing with a worm on the same short shaft [0 with a large gear ll. The latter in turn is driven by a gear l2 coaxial with a pulley I3 driven by a belt connection I4 from the motor l5, by which all the moving parts are operated in the illustrated embodiment.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is provided above the main platform 2 an upper frame including a hollow pedestal 50 at one corner portion of the platform. Projecting inwardly from the pedestal, is a frame piece 5| having upper and lower arms 52, 53. The upper arm 52 together with an extension 54 thereof forms an arch spanning the specimen platen, diagonally of the platform 2. At its end opposite the pedestal 59 this arch is supported by a post 55 rising from the lower framing in the cabinet I. This upper frame serves to support the wear-producing mechanism and other associated parts to be described.

The wearing action on the test specimen is performed by a shoe 69, Fig. 2, in cooperation with the moving platen 3, through the oscillation of the shoe while in pressing'contact on the moving specimen, with or without an action of set screws I3, at the lower end of the vertical tubular shoe-carrying shaft I5. This shaft, and consequently the shoe 60, is supported for rotary oscillation about its own axis and also for vertical reciprocation, the upper end of the shaft being slidably and rotatably received in the hollow up per arm 52 of the top frame. I

The shoe shaft 15 is guided, for rotation and vertical reciprocation, by a sleeve bearing 95, Fig.

l, the upper end of which is fastened in a crosshead 96 having lateral trunnions 9'I journalled in the shoe lifter arm 98. This lifter arm is a double or forked element, the crosshead 96 being received between its two parts, as clearly seen in Fig. 11. The shoe shaft I5 and said sleeve bearing 95 move up and'down together, while the shaft is also given an oscillatory movement in said sleeve bearing and in the crosshead 96. An anti-friction bearing IE0 is provided above the crosshead and the sleeve 95, between said parts and a collar lIlI fast on the shaft and through which the latter is oscillated.

The mechanism for so oscillating the shaft is similar to that of the previous application, including an arm projecting laterally from the collar IOI on the shaft and connected through a link I03, Fig. l, to an arm (not shown) on a collar I04, the connection between said arm of the collar I04 and the link being such as to allow up and down movement of the latter with the shaft 15. Said collar I04 is fixed at the upper end of a hollow shaft I05, Fig. 3, extending vertically through the hollow pedestal 50. Said hollow shaft W5 is oscillated by a pitman I05 Fig. 3, pivoted at one end, at the left in said figure, to a collar I05 fast at the lower end of said shaft and pivotally connected at its other end to a crank disk coaxial with the gear I2 and pulley I3 previously re- "ferred to. I

The sleeve bearing 95 and the entire shoe operating assembly are further guided by the lower arm 53 of the top frame, through which said sleeve and the shaft "I5 extend.

Referring to Fig. 2, the shoe sleeve bearing 95 terminates at its lower end in an annular flanged foot IO'I seating on another anti-friction bearing IE8 supported on the shoe holder I3. A laterally projecting annular cup I09 may be provided below the bearing I08, held between it and the shoe holder, for catching any oil that might escape at the bearing or other point above it, and which might otherwise reach the shoe and the test specimen. Such protection is important because even a very small quantity of oil on the wearing face of the shoe or on the specimen is likely to introduce a'factor of irregularity in the test.

As an additional safeguard in this connection I may provide a further drip plate or oil and dirt "catcher, preferably below the cup I59 and adapted'to receive possible overflow from the latter and to catch any other dirt or foreign matter which might otherwise fall onto the specimen being tested. This additional means comprises a two-piece glass or other plate IIIl straddling'the shoe holder and apertured for passage of the latter. The plate sections are also recessed at their juncture line for passage of the wear-measuring feeler device to be described.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the shoe 60, its holder Ill, the shoe shaft 15 and the bearing sleeve 95 and parts connected to the latter are adapted to be moved up and down by the action of the shoe lifter arm 98 to which they are connected through the crosshead 96. The shoe shaft 15, shoe holder I0 and the shoe to are also capable of rotary movement about the vertical axis of the shoe and shaft, but only these main parts of the shoe operating assembly participate in said rotary movement or oscillation. The bearing sleeve 95 does not oscillate, being held thereagainst by its comiection with the crosshead 95, and the anti-friction bearings are located between the non-oscillatory parts and those which oscillate. This construction and arrangement facilitates the operation of the wearer unit and greatly reduces any vibration transmitted to the other parts of the apparatus, particularly during oscillation of the wearer shoe while it is down in pressing engagement on the test specimen.

The lifter arm 98 already referred to, for effecting the up and down movements of the shoe, is hung on the top frame member 5 I, being pivotally connected at one end, at the left in Fig. l, as at I20, to vertical links I2I, one at each side of the frame and pivoted thereon as at I22. At its other end said shoe lifter arm is pivotally connected as at I23 at the upper end of a lift rod I2 l extending downwardly into the cabinet I and operated through mechanism therein which may be generally similar to that of the earlier application. Said mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 3 sufficiently for the purposes of the present application. Upward movement is imparted to said lift rod I24 by a horizontal cam lever I25 having its outer end pivotally connected to the lift rod, as at I25, and carrying at an intermediate point a roll it? cooperating with an adjustable concentric or cam on the shaft I0 previously referred to in connection with the drive for the platen. Said cam lever I25 is pivotally supported at its inner end as at I28 on a fixed cross piece I29 or other sta tionary part.

' Downward thrusting action of the shoe and a continued pressing engagement thereof on the test specimen is effected by the dropping of the cam lever I25, the lift rod I24 and the lifter arm 98 when the roll I21 rides off from its cam. The force of this downward impacting and pressing action is determined by an adjustable weight I30 at the lower end of the lift rod I24, see Fig. 3. A stop I3I may be provided below the weight 5 39 to limit its downward movement and that of the shoe, to avoid damage to the platen or anvil 3 or to the shoe 5!] by direct contact of said parts should a specimen be worn completely through.

Means desirably is provided for accurately controlling and adjusting the extent of vertical movement given to the shoe. For this purpose, referring now to the lower right portion of Fig. 2, the lift rod I24 has a threaded portion, above the platform 2, receiving a stop collar I32 engageable with the platform to limit down movement of said rod. Also on said threaded portion of the lift rod is a setting nut I33 the upper end of which is tapered and marked with a circumferential scale I34 for cooperation with a longitudinal scale I35 on the rod I24, as on a marker sleeve I36 thereon. The scales may be calibrated in small units of vertical adjustment in the up and down movement of the wearer shoe, whereby a micrometer setting for the latter is had; The

scales I84, I35 may be arranged so thatby setting their zero indications opposite each other either the upper or the lower limit of adjustment for the bottom position of the shoe is obtained. The two threaded members I32 and I33 cooperate and. are manipulable in the manner of a nut and lock nut, each being moved in turn until the scale setting is as desired and the two parts are in abutting, mutually locking position.

As in the earlier application, the Worn particles of lint or dust are carried off from the test specimen as produced, passing up through the shoe 60 and its shaft I5 to a channel in the upper arm 52 and which continues through the base or supporting frame element 5| into the'pedestal 50. Referring now to Fig. 3, the dust is taken from the pedestal 50 through an outlet I40 at its lower portion, within the cabinet I, and through a conduit l M communicating between said outlet and a vacuum tank I42 mounted in the cabinet and containing a dust receptacle. The negative pressure or partial vacuum in the dust-collecting system is maintained by a pump I48, Fig. 3, driven through a belt or other connection M! with the motor. The intake side of the pump is connected through piping I48 with the outlet I49 of the vacuum tank, while the outlet or pressure side of the pump discharges through a pipe I50 opening to atmosphere at I 5I. The pump desirably has self-oiling provisions as described in the parent application but not necessary to explain further here. A vacuum or negative pressure gauge for the dust-collecting system desirably is mounted in a conveniently read location, as seen at I60 in Fig. l. A bleeder valve I15 adjacent the gauge provides for relieving excess pressure.

Improved means coordinated with the Wearing mechanism is provided for periodically measuring the depth of wear and charting a record of the same. Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 a recorder drum I is demountably fixed as by a thumb nut I8! at the upper end of a vertical, rotary drum-operating or recorder shaft I82. This shaft is supported and journalled in upper and lower bearings I83, I83 and extends vertically through the shoe-oscillating shaft I05 in the pedestal 50. It is driven in accurately timed relation with the wearing mechanism, including both the specimen platen and the wearer shoe, by a Worm wheel I84 at its lower end and meshing with a worm I 85 fast on a horizontal shaft 215 to be more fully described; see particularly Figs. 8 to 10. It is sufficient here to note that said shaft 215 is driven at selective speeds through a clutch-controlled change-speed gearing, to be referred to later and which receives its drive from a worm gear I86 turning on a bearing bushing I86 in a bearing I89 on a bracket I89 depending from the cross member I29. Said worm gear I 88 is driven by a worm I81 fast on a lower horizontal shaft I 88 rotatable in another bearing I88 on said bracket I89. The inner end portion of said lower horizontal shaft I88 receives further bearing support in a vertical bracket I88 on the stationary framing and has at its end a bevel pinion I90 meshing with a like pinion I9I at the lower end of the main vertical shaft 8 for the platen cams.

As seen in Fig. 1 and in detail on a larger scale in Fig. 4 the recorder drum I80 is adapted to receive a paper or other chart or sheet I92 on which the record is to be made. A typical form of chart is illustrated in the earlier application, now Patent No. 2,100,332, and need not be duplicated in detail here. The outer cylindrical face of the drum has a chart-backing surface or element I93 of a smooth, firm material but which is adapted easily to be entered by the sharp point of the marking instrument in case it pierces the paper or other material of the chart. As shown in Fig. 4 said element I93 is in the form of a cork sleeve drawn onto the drum and having a tight fit on it. The chart I92 of paper or other flexible sheet material is readily installed on and removed from the drum. In the illustrated example its lower edge is set inside one or more arcuate positioning clips I94 at the base of the drum, the overlapped end portions of the chart being brought behind one of such clips I 94. At its upper edge the chart is held by a releasable clamping means such as the spring fingers I95 on brackets I98 projecting from the top of the drum I 80.

Improved marking means is herein disclosed for marking the record on the chart. As seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 the marking device or needle is removably carried at the upper end of a vertically movable marking arm 200, the vertical movements of which are controlled by the feeler and timing control mechanism to be described. The marking device comprises a cup or reservoir 20I for a supply of ink and having depending forked portion 202 adapted to straddle a button 203 near the upper end of the marker arm 200. The upper extremity of the latter is vertically slotted as at 200 to receive a grooved portion of a nipple 204 projecting from the base of the reservoir and having an ink passage 205 communicating with the main ink chamber of the reservoir. A needle holder 206 having a needle 20? extending axially through it is received on the nipple 204, as by a Luer slip connection with it. The needle itself has a longitudinal bore or passage 207 communicating at its rear end with the channel 205 leading from the ink reservoir 20!. The passage in the needle is of small or substantially capillary diameter, such as to supply and maintain a small quantity of the ink at the outer end of the needle, in readiness for marking, but avoiding any drip. The outer end of the needle preferably is sharp pointed as illustrated in Fig. 4, for indenting or piercing the chart, this action being facilitated by the readily penetrable character of the underlying cork or like element I93. It will be understood that as in the previous application the marker arm 200 and the described marking device on it normally stand at a level at the upper portion of the drum, at or near the top of the recording space on the chart, and. that said parts are periodically allowed to drop, to an extent determined by the'wearmeasuring feeler to be described, so as to produce a mark at a corresponding level on the chart. When so moved down into marking position, the marker device is positively moved inwardly, radially of the drum, to contact and mark the chart, and is subsequently positively retracted.

For this purpose, as seen in said Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the marker-carrying arm 200 has at its upper portion'a laterally projecting vertically slotted guide finger 208 which is slidable up and down, with the movement of the marker arm 200, along the adjacent edge of a vertical fin 2I0. The

latter projects radially at the upper end of the bearing 2|2. This spring 2M acts normally to urge the vertical rod 2|| in a direction to move and hold the fin 2H) and the marking needle 20'! away from thechart, the tension under which the parts are so held being adjustable by means of the collar 2 referred to.

The vertical movements of the marker arm 200, and the positive inward swinging and outward retraction of the marker device by the rod 2| l are effected by a linkage system of a character similar in general to that of the previous application but herein embodying various features of improvement. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, and also to Figs. 5 to 7, the marker arm 2% is supported by upper and lower indicator or feeler arms 220 and 2H having their outer ends pivotally connected to said marker arm 200 as at 222 and 223 respectively. Intermediate its ends the upper arm 22!] has a fixed point of pivotal support, as at, 224, on a strap 22% depending from the arch member 52; see Fig. 1. The lower arm 22| likewise has a fixed pivot, as at 225, on the arch or top frame. The marker needle 20? at the upper end of the marker arm 2|!!! is thus supported for vertical movement in a straight line and in true parallelism with the vertical feeling movement of the wear indicator, detector or feeler 246 hung on the upper arm 22E in a manner to be described.

The lower arm 22! and consequently the marker device and associated parts including the wear feeler are normally held up substantially in the position as illustrated in Fig. i by a removable stop 226 on said lower arm 22l projecting across the upper edge of a further supporting arm 221. The latter is pivoted at one end on the same fixed pivot 225 with said lower arm 22| and has its other end pivoted as at 228 at the upper end of a link 229. Vertical movement of this link 229 serves to let down and to elevate the marker, through the medium of a lower link 23! Figs. 3, 9 and 10, having a fixed pivot at its lower end, as at 23L At an intermediate point along said lower link 2% there is pivoted as at 232 a lift rod 233 connected by a pivot at its lower end to a cam lever 234. The latter has a fixed pivot at one end, as at 23%, Fig. 9, and at an intermediate point carries a cam roll 235 adapted to ride on a cam disc 23$. The free end of said cam lever may be weighted, as at 23 5 The cam disc 236 is fixed on the shaft |88 previously referred to in connection with the drive for the recorder drum. It has a relatively short and steep-walled notch 23?, Fig. 9, which, on coming opposite the cam roll 235 will allow the latter and the described linkage connections to drop sharply and cause them to be lifted again after a brief interval. This conditioning of the linkage system for down movement occurs once for each rotation of the disc 238, which has an accuratelypredetermined and generally relatively short period of revolution. Said linkage motion actually takes place, however, only when permitted by other control mechanism to be described in connection with Figs. 8 to 11.

Considering again the marker turning rod 2|| as best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, improved means is provided for positively rocking said rod to move the marker needle 26? into contact with the chart and to. retract it. These movements are respectively opposed and aided by the torsion spring 2|4 already described. The actuating force for the movements. is derived from the lowering and lifting action of the marker arm 20!) and its asanchored in a stationary part, such as the upper sociate'd' link connections, and herein directly from the lower supporting arm 221 and its connected link 229. Said arm 221 has a laterally projecting pin 22! which in the course of the down movement of the arm is adapted to enter a slotted formation 22l at the end of one arm of a bell-crank 22'! on a fixed pivot 221 on the lower arm 53 of the top frame. The other arm of said bell-crank is pivotally connected by an adjustable link 22! to lateral finger 2| on the lower portion of the rod 2| Thus during the descent of the arm 22'! its pin 221 engages and rocks the bell-crank in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. This in turn rocks the rod 2| in a positive, firm manner, in the direction to swing the vertical fin 2H3 in toward the chart and to cause the needle 20'! to make a mark on it. By reason of the interengagement of the pin 22! in the slot 22'! of the bell-crank a reverse turning of the latter is efiected during the subsequent raising of the link 229 and arm 22?. The rod 2|| accordingly is reversely rocked to swing the fin 2|!) away from the chart, positively retracting the needle, supplementary to the influence of the spring 21d.

The described linkage and cam mechanism associated with the marker arm 20!], together with said further controls of Figs. 8 to 11 determines the times at which the periodic measurements and recordings shall be made, by allowing the marker mechanism and the wear detector or feeler 240 to move down at the selected intervals. The extent of this down. movement is in direct ratio to the depth of wear which has been efiected on the specimen at the given time, as detected or measured by the feeler element 242 which engages or feels directly on the worn surface of the specimen. Said feeler as herein disclosed is oi improved construction, whereby possible irregularity in its positioning is substantially reduced, the feeler being enabled in effect to fioat on the specimen and to give an indication of the average height or depth of the worn area of the specimen contacted by it. Novel provisions are also herein made whereby th ratio of the markings on the chart to that of the actual distance of wear may be varied, so that the vertical extent of the curve plotted on the chart may be made greater or less, to suit different conditions. For example, with a relatively thick specimen to be tested, such as a heavy Amninster carpet the total wearing-depth and accordingly the increments to be measured are relatively large, so that a charting ratio of perhaps ten to one or even less may be adequate to plot a curve on which the successive points are adequately spaced vertically for convenient reading. With other materials, with which either the incremental or the total wear is smaller, larger charting ratios may be desirable, such, for example, as twenty to one, fifty to one or even greater.

Referring in this connection to Figs. 1, 2 and 5 to 7 inclusive, the feeler or detecting device propercomprises a fiat disc, plate or caliper button 240, preferably having an inwardly and downwardly bevelled edge portion, to facilitate its seating on the specimen. In the illustrated example this feeler button has an area of approximately 1%; square inches. At its upper face is a central stem 2 terminating in a ball 262. The ball 242 is movably received in the lower end of a socket member 243 which is spun over at its bottom edge as illustrated, sufiiciently to retain the ball 242 while affording to the feeler button 240 a universal or fioating movement relative to the socket member, and enabling it to tilt in any diametral plane.

The socket member 243 is adjustably threaded at the lower end of the feeler rod 244 the upper end of which in turn is adjustably threaded into a top-piece or cap 245 through which the feeler is connected to the upper arm 220 of the parallel linkage system, in any one of a number of different positions relative to it. It will be seen that the universal connection between the feeler head or button 240 and its supporting rod, and which permits the feeler head to float or tilt relatively to the rod, afiords a greater degree of accuracy in measuring the average depth of the portion of a test specimen onto which the feeler is let down. For example, if some small area of the specimen, less than that of the feeler head, stands at a higher level, such as a small hump or projection of any kind, the portion of the feeler head diametrically opposite such elevation will tilt down to the lower level and allow the feeler rod to come down to a level intermediate the lower one and that of the elevation. Thus in effect the feeler indicates the average level of the contacted worn surface. The feeler rod 244 as shown has a knurled head 244 fast on it to facilitate turning the rod for length-adjusting purposes, and whereby the feeler may quickly be set for cooperation with any given specimen. A knurled lock nut Z44 desirably is threaded on the rod adjacent the cap piece 245 for locking said parts in the desired relative position of adjustment.

The feeler-rod supporting cap 245 has a lower forked portion 246 through which the upper linkage arm 220 extends, and an upper forked portion 241. Intermediate these two forked portions is a laterally projecting arm 248. Each of the three portions of the feeler-rod cap 245 referred to has an aperture for the reception of a removable pin 249 for use in connecting said cap 245 to the upper arm 220 in three different positions of adjustment, as shown for example in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 and which positions will hereinafter be referred to as positions A, B and C as indicated on said figures.

In position A, that of Fig. 5, the removable pin 249 is set in an aperture 250 in the lower slotted portion 246 of the cap 245 and through a corresponding aperture 25! in the arm 220 (these apertures may be seen unobscured by the removable button, in Figs. 6 and '7). of Fig. 5, the cap member 245 of the feeler rod is directly connected to'the arm 220 and in such manner that the ratio between the feeler movement, in traversing the total worn depthto be measured, and the corresponding. movement of the marker device 201 is relatively small, that is, nearest to a direct or 1 to 1 ratio. In the example illustrated this A position of the parts affords a 10 to 1 ratio between the distance measured off and marked on the chart and the actual corresponding worn depth indicated.

In each of Figs. 5 to 7 inclusivethe feeler 240 is shown in the same lowermost position, in which it is assumed to be down in contact or substantially in contact with the bare platen. This bottom level is indicated by the dot-and-dash line b--b, at the bottom of each of said figures. The initial level of the test specimen, that is, the level at which the feeler makes its uppermost marking indication is shown in the several figures by the dot-and-dash line a-a, spaced above the bottom level lines b b. The corresponding In this A position,

'adjustable connection between said parts.

per portions of said figures by the dot-and-longer-dash lines a-a, bb.

From a comparison of said Figs. 5, 6 and 7 it will be noted that the initial or a-a position of the arm 220 and the final or 11-22 position of said arm is the same in each of the adjusted positions of the parts, but the feeler 24!] starts its indications at succeeding lower levels. That is, while the total angular movement of the arm 220 is always the same, the vertical movement of the feeler 240 differs. In Fig. 5 the relatively large vertical movement of the feeler between the wear lines aa and 22-5 at the bottom of the figure corresponds to a marking movement of the arm 220 through the angle between the lines aa and b-b at the upper portion of the figure. In Fig. 6 the lesser feeler movement, between the Wear lines aa and 11-22 of that figure again corresponds to the same total marking movement of the arm 220 between the lines aa and 12-h adjacent it, while inFig. 7 a still smaller feeler movement corresponds to this same total move ment of the arm 220. Or to put it conversely, and going from Fig. 7 to Fig. 6 to Fig. 5 the same incremental movement of the feeler 2 40 effects a proportionately decreasing corresponding angular movement of the arm 220. Thus with the C-setting as in Fig. 7 a relatively minute movement of the feeler, say of the order of. .002 inch is enabled to effect markings on the chart spaced say .linch (i. e. 1 to 50) and hence at adequately spaced points for clear reading purposes. The resulting markings may if desired be substantially as widely spaced vertically with said C-setting as with the small ratio or more nearly direct A-setting, (1 to 10 for example) the B-settingaffording an intermediate ratio, such as 1 to 20. The horizontal graph lines on a given chart, indicative of wear levels, when used in the three different A, B and C settings of the feeler, might represent actual increments of wear of the specimen such, for example, as .010 inch, .005 inch and .002 inch for said three cases. i

It will be understood that by ffeeler movement as here referred to in connection with the lower lines a-a and b-b is meant the increasing Figs. 1 and 2, above andout of contact with the specimen and in making each periodic measurement it may have a preliminary down movement before contacting the surface of the specimen. The extent of this preliminary movement varies with specimens of different thickness and with the corresponding different adjusted positions A,

B and C of Figs. 5 to 7. This is compensated for by adjusting the length of the rod 244 below the top-piece or cap 245 as permitted by the threaded In comparing these three figures it will be noted that the feeler-rod length below the cap 245 is greater in Fig. 6 than in Fig. 5 and still greater in Fig. 7.

The mechanism by which the different adjusted positions B and C of Figs. 6 and '7 reand 253 having their adjacentends pivotally connected'as at 254. The, vertical and longer links 252 is pivotedat its lower end to the arm 220 at 255 while the shorter and more nearly spectively are obtainedcomprises two links 252 justed positions.

horizontal link 253 is pivotally hung on the upper frame member 52 as at256.

The lateral finger 248 of the cap 245 has a pin-receiving aperture'25l adapted to cooperate with a similar aperture 258 in the vertical link 2752. Similarly the upper slotted portion 241 of said cap piece has a pin receiving aperture 259 for cooperation with an aperture 263 in the upper link 253. I

For the setting 13, of Fig. 6, the pin 249 is removed from its'positio'n as shown in Fig. 5 and'is inserted in the apertures 251, 258 of the lateral fingermwfand'the link 252, the parts being manipulated to bring said apertures into alignment. In this B position the connection between the feeler rod 2% accordingly is through the lower portion of the cap member 245, through the lateral finger 243 thereon and thence "through the lower portion of the link 252 onto the arm 220 at the pivot point 255.

For the C position, of Fig. 7, the parts are manipulated to bring the aperture 259 at the upperend of the cap 245 into alignment with the aperture 250 of the'horizontal link 253 and the pin 249 is then inserted in said aligned apertures. As seen in Fig. 7 the connection from the feeler rod 244 is then up through substantially' the full length o'f'the cap 255, through the outer end portion of the link 253 and downwardly through the full length of the vertical link 252 onto the arm 220 at the pivot point 255. Releasable means desirably is provided for holding the, pin 249 in its several different ad- In "the illustrated example this is effected by an annular slot 249 in the neck of the pin 229 and adapted to have locking engagement with wire-like spring fingers 269 and 2 19 fixed on the cap member 265. Said spring element 249* is vertically extended to have looking cooperation with the pin 249 when the latter is either in the lower aperture 259 or in the I upper aperture 259, as seen in Figs. 5 and7,

while the intermediately located finger 249 is positioned to snap into said locking slot 249" of the pin when the latter is in the intermediate aperture 251 of the laterally projecting'finger 248, as seen in Fig. 6.

It is desirable that the feeler button 240 shall engage the test specimen with a predetermined and adjustable pressure, and also that the same predetermined pressure be maintained when using the different calibrations or marking ratios 1 corresponding to the positions A, B and C referred to. upper arm 220 is accurately'balanced or loaded to the extent necessary for said purpose, as by means of a balance adjuster slide 22! movable received on saidarm and retained at various points along 'it'as by the spring ball detent shown or other like device cooperable with notches or the like formations on the arm.

, A stop may be provided to retain the slide against or loading. The appropriate setting for. the

balance slide 22d to give a same predetermined feeler pressure for the three ratio settings A, B and C may be distinctively marked on the arm 220 as indicated by the letters A, B and C on Fi 1. v

arm 53 of the top arch or frame.

Accordingly,'as seen in Fig. 1, the

As seen in Fig. 2 the feeler rod 264 is additionally guided in its up and down movements as by a guide arm 260 depending from the lower As previously mentioned the dirt-retaining glass plate H5 is apertured for passage of the feeler rod.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the described feeler and the associated marking device, the marking level of which is controlled by, the feeler, are permitted to descend periodical- 1y to take a wear measurement and making a recording thereof. As previously mentioned, means is herein provided whereby the times at which such measurement and recording are had may be selected so as to occur relatively frequently, or only at longer intervals. With some types of material to be tested it is also desirable that wear measurements and recordings should be made at compartively frequent intervals during the initial portion of the test but thereafter only at longer intervals. For example, with AX- minster rugs and other tufted'or pile fabrics, in the earlier stages of the test the indicated wear or thinning of the specimen is comparatively rapid, the pile being matted or worn down to a certain initial extent comparatively quickly but thereafter wearing down much less rapidly. That is, the wear curve plotted on the chart descends very steeply at first and their levels off. Hence if the readings for the opening stage of the test should be taken only at the longer intervals appropriate for the latter stages, the first markings on the chart would be comparatively widely spaced vertically. To fill in such a gap with one or more intermediate markings an initial short-interval measurement and recording is herein made possible.

Referring now to Fig. 3 and to the detail Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, the vertical link 233 and the arm 234 carrying the roll 235 which cooperates with the cam disc 236 are normally held up in raised position as seen in Figs. 3 and 9, wherein the feeler and the marker are likewise elevated, by means of a finger 265 having a dog 236 at its upper endengaging beneath a boss 25'! on saidlink 233. The main upper portion of the arm 265 as illustrated is of spring material, so that in certain positions ofthe parts the arm may spring back away from the link 233 and permit the latter to rise past the dog 2% and into the illustrated position of Figs. 3 and 9.

Said spring portion 265 is fastened to a short arm 268 on a sleeve 288 rotatably supported on a stud 210 projecting from an adjacent fixed part of the lower framing. Said sleeve 269 also has secured to it, in the manner of a bell-crank, a lower arm 2' carrying a roll 212 cooperating with a set of interval-controlling elements or discs by adjustment of which the initial short-interval and subsequent long-interval measurements or readings may be had.

This adjustable control unit, indicated as a whole by the numeral 290 and to be referred to inmore detail later, is mounted on one end of the horizontal shaft 215 previously referred to as having the worm I85fast on it. Said shaft continues loosely through the bearing bushing Ett for the worm gear I 86 and axially beyond the latter, to receive end bearing support in a bracket 216, Figs. 8 and 9. Also loose on said shaft 215 is a large gear 21! fast with the hub of said worm gear I86. Spaced from said gear 2?! and also loose on the shaft 275, adjacent its end in the bearing 216, is a smaller gear 218. These gears are suitably held in spaced relation on the shaft 215 and their hubs, at their adjacent faces, are provided with clutch formations for engagement with a clutch sleeve 219 keyed on the shaft 215 for rotation with it but slidable thereon for alternative engagement with the small gear 218 or the large gear 211 thereby selectively to couple either of the latter to the shaft 215.

As seen in Fig. 8 a short stud shaft 280 is provided adjacent and paralleling the shaft 215 and having its inner end fast in a boss supported from the bracket lBS before mentioned. The bearing bracket 216 shortly above referred to is secured as by a set screw to the outer end of this parallel stud shaft 289. Rotatable on said stud shaft is a sleeve 28! having secured at one end a small gear 282 meshing with the large gear 211 on the hub of the worm gear I86, said sleeve having at its other end a larger gear 283 having meshing engagement with the smaller gear 218 loose on the shaft 215. The described gearing constitutes a change-speed mechanism whereby the shaft 215 and hence also the record drum ltd on the recorder shaft I82 may be connected in driven relation with the worm gear 186 at either of two speeds.

By shifting the clutch collar 219 toward the right in Fig. 9 the worm gear 85 is directly coupled through its hub and that of the adjacent large gear 211 to the shaft 215. By sihfting the clutch sleeve 219 toward the left in Fig. 9 the smaller gear 213 is coupled to the shaft 215. The drive is then from the worm gear I86 and the coaxial large gear 211 to the smaller gear 282 on the sleeve 28! and through the larger gear 283 also on said sleeve, to said smaller gear 218 and hence to the shaft 215 then coupled to the hub of said gear 218. It will be noted that with the parts connected as last described, that is, with the small gear 218 coupled to th shaft 215 by shifting of the clutch sleeve to the left in Figs. 8 and 9, the shaft 215 is driven at a higher speed, through the described step-up gearing arrangement, as contrasted with the slower or 1 to l drive ratio between the worm gear I and the shaft 215 when said worm gear is in effect coupled directly to said shaft, by throwing the clutch sleeve 219 to the right in said Figs. 8 and 9.

As will be apparent from the further description the described driving of the shaft 215 at the higher speed is adapted to effect measurements and recordings at regular but relatively short or frequent intervals, say for example every five minutes, while at its slower rate of drive the regular measurements and recordings are had at greater intervals such for example as every twenty minutes. The long intervals and the short intervals may be otherwise proportioned, as determined by the ratio of the gearing 211, 282, 283 and 218 in the change-gearing described. It should also be noted that such shifting of the speed of shaft 215 produces the same proportionate change in the drive of the recorder drum 18!), since the latter is driven from the worm I55 fast on said shaft 215 and meshing with the worm wheel I84 on the recorder shaft I32. Such corresponding change in the drum speed and hence of the angular travel of the chart Hi2 thereon is desirable so as to produce a wider horizontal or peripheral spacing between successive short-interval markings, preferably to the same extent as for the longer-interval markings.

Means conveniently available to the operator or person conducting the tests is provided for shifting the clutch sleeve or coupler .219 into and. to retain it in either of the described positions.

For this purpose, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, said clutch sleeve has a circumferential slot receiving an eccentric 284 on a collar 285 pinned at the lower end of a time-shift rod 286 guided in the lower framing and extending upwardly through the platform 2. This shift rod has a manipulating button or knob 281 at its upper end, and also a pointer 288 for visually informing the operator as to the position of the clutch sleeve 219, that is, as to whether the apparatus is' set for fast, short-interval readings or to read at the slower, longer intervals. Since the clutch and associated parts, in fact all the operating mechanism, is housed in the cabinet I, the operator might otherwise have difficulty in quickly determining the operating status of the machine. Said pointer is movable between appropriately located stops or indices 289, 289 corresponding to the two clutch settings respectively. Appropriate indicia may be provided adjacent said stops such as F and S for fast and slow, or 5-minute and 20-minute respectively, or such other intervals as may be used in the given instance.

It will be understood that the clutch sleeve 219 is at all times, during operation of the machine, in one or the other of its engaged positions, its intermediate or central position as shown in Figs 8 and 9 being only momentary, it being assumed for the purpose of said figures that the clutch sleeve is in the process of being thrown in one directiton or the other, by manipulation of the knob 281. Means desirably is provided, for throwing the clutch sleeve into and holding it in its two positions. As represented for example in Fig. 9 the shift rod 286 has fast on it a bevelled end dog 286 engaged by a spring-actuated camming arm 23G mounted so as to be toward the end of the dog. As the latter moves past center said arm snaps onto one or the other of the inclined ends of the dog, camming it angularly about the axis of the rod 286 and thereby moving and holding the latter and the clutch sleeve in the selected position of adjustment.

Rotation of the shaft 215, in the directiton of the arrow thereon near its right end in Figs. 8 and 9 not only actuates the recorder drum but also operates through the control disc or plate unit 2% previously mentioned to exercise a master control as to the time a measurement is to be made. Appropriate positioning of said unit 299 allows the associated roll 212 and arm 21! carrying it to drop, thereby to turn the sleeve 269 so as to withdraw the spring arm 265 from its normal position below the boss 261 in which it prevents descent of the link 233 even though such descent might be permitted by the cam disc 236 and its cooperating cam roll 235.

This time-controlling unit 290 includes a plural-notched short-time plate 2! fast on the shaft 215, its hub 29l being secured thereto as by a set screw or the like. This plate 291, hereinafter referred to as the initial-period or 5-minute plate acts in a controlling capacity only for effecting a comparatively small number of relareadings or recordedmeasurements at regular intervals,whether these intervals be short or long, the time at which a measurement shall occur is determined by the dropping of the roll 212 into the notch 293 of this normal-period plate 293. Although the roll is of a length to extend across both plates 2! and 293 one of the notches of the first plate 29 I normally is always in line with said single notch 293 of the normal-control plate 293. Under. such conditions the measuring interval is further. determined merely by the speed of the shaft 215 as controlled by the positioning of the clutch member 219, the shift or control knob 28'! being set for fast or slow marking as desired. The marking intervals under such normal operation, whether short or long, are in either case equal or regular.

The normal-period plate 293, while loose on the shaft 275, is securedto the hub of a bevel pinion 294, Figs. 3, 8 and 9 which also is loose on said shaft. This pinion 299 meshes with a similar bevelled pinion 295 fast at the lower end of a vertical indicator rod 296 journaled in the lower framing and extended upward through the plat form 2, similarly as the clutch rod 286. At its upper end is manipulating knob 29! and an indicating pointer 298. Adjacent the outer end of the pointer is an index 299 so positioned with relation to the described parts that the arrival of the pointer 298 opposite it will afford a visual indication that a measuring and recording operation is in process or about to take place. Bynoting the positon of the indicator 298 relative to the index 299 at any time, the progress of the measuring interval may be observed, whether the mechanism be set for short time or long time measurement. For example, under a 20 minute setting, if the pointer is diametrically opposite the index 299, this shows that the marking interval is half over. The same is true for a five minute or other setting.

The two plate elements 29! and 293 of the control unit 299 are adapted to be variously connected in driving or non-driving relation through the intermediate plate or coupler 292 and through a pin 25H at the inner face of the initial-period plate 29I and a pin 293 on the adjacent inner face of the normal-interval plate 293. These two pins are located at different radial distances from the axis of the shaft 215 so that at certain times they may pass each other. -They are also positioned for overlapping engagement with one or the other radial edges or end faces 292 and 292 of the coupler 292, in the various different positions of the parts now to be explained.

When the mechanism is set for normal operation, that is, to take readings at equal time intervals from the start of the test and continued throughout, and irrespective of whether the setting, as controlled by the shift-clutch 219, is for the shorter intervals or the longer ones, the posi- 'tion of the three elements 295, 292 and 293 of the control unit 299, at the time for each reading, is that illustrated in the partly diagrammatic or exploded view, Fig. 11. At such time the notch 29! of the disc 29l, the notch nearest the pin 29E on said disc, is at the top, in position to allow the roll 212 and its carrying arm to drop. So also is the notch 293 of the other disc 293. These two notches thus being aligned, the roll 272 drops, releases the link 233. Since the notch 23'! of the cam or master disc 239 is arranged also then to be at the top, opposite the cam roll 235,

the feeler and marker mechanism descends and effects a measurement and marking.

In the described position of the three parts of the unit 299 they all revolve as one, the first disc 29! driving the connector disc 292, in the clockwise direction as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 11 and the latter in turn driving the second disc 293. A spring 296 surrounding the indicator and setting shaft 299 and bearing downwardly on the pinion 295 puts sufiicient load on the latter to hold the disc 293 and connector plate 292 against overrunning and keeping the pin 293 in engagement with the connector plate at its radial face 292, and the radial face 292 of said plate in abutting relation with the pin 29 l of the first disc.

Assume now that it is desired to have the readings occur at certain regular intervals through-' out the major portion of the test, say 20-minute intervals, but to have them made more frequently during the first 20-minute interval, or for that matter during some subsequent regular interval. In other words, it is desired to sub-divide the initial or other regular interval into an equal number of shorter intervals. With a short-interval or sub-dividing disc 29! having four notches as illustrated in Fig. 11 the division is into four equal shorter intervals; for subdividing into some other number of shorter intervals a corresponding number of notches would be provided.

This subdividing of the regular marking interval, either at the start of a test or at some subsequent time, is eifected by turning the setting.

knob 29'! at the upper end of the indicator and setting shaft 296 ahead, in the same direction on which it is rotated by the shaft 215, as indicated by the arrow adjacent said knob 29! in Fig. 9, and by the other rotational arrows in said figure and in Figs. 8 and 11. The shaft 296 is so turned until it has advanced the single-notch disc 73.93 through 360 relative to the shaft 215 on which said disc and the connector plate 292 are loosely mounted. It will be observed that the pin 293 on said disc 293 is at the bottom of the latter in the normal position thereof as shown in Fig. 11, said pin being diametrically opposite the notch 293 The first 180 or half-turn advance of the disc 293 shifts pin 2513 to a top position, bringing it up against the then upper radial face 292 of the connector plate 292. Continued advancing of the disc 293 in the manner referred to then causes said pin 293 topick up the connector plate 292 and advance it with the disc 293 through the second 180 or half turn of the latter. This accordingly brings the connector plate 292 round to a diametrically opposite position from that of Fig. 11, so that its radial face 292 is brought to the top but behind the pin 29E of the plural-notch disc 29l, and the other radial'face 292 is carried down to the bottom, away from and 180 in advance of said pin 29".

With the parts of the unit 299 so disposed and the apparatus being started up or continued in operation, the first wear measurement and mar"- ing will take place when the disc 29! has made a quarter-turn, bringing its next notch 291 to the top. The releasing roll 212, which is of a length to extend across both discs 29! and 293, as seen in Figs. 8 and 9, can then drop because the disc 293 has not been turned during this quarter-turn of the shaft 215 and disc 29!. This is so because the radial faces 292 and 2292 of the connector plate initially stood 130 ahead of the pins 29! and 293 respectively. During this first quarter-turn the pin 291 moves down After this first short-interval marking, result- 3 ing from the notch 29W coming to the top, the plural-notch disc 29I continues another quarterturn, bringing the next notch 29W to the top. As the connector plate 292 has not yet been turned the disc 293 has continued in its. position of Fig. 11, so that its slot 293 remains at the top and aligns with said second notch 29W of the disc 29!. Another measurement and recording accordingly takes place. At this time the pin 29! has advanced 180, to a bottom position,

in which it brings up against the radial face 292 of theconnector plate 292. a Another quarter-turn of the shaft 215 and disc 29! accordingly causes the latter to pick up the connector plate and move it 90 to a position in which its radial faces are horizontal, face 292 being at the left, looking at Fig. 11, and directly above the pin 29! (which has now advanced 270 from its initial or Fig. 11 position) and face 292 being horizontal but still 90 behind the pin 293 of the single-notch disc 293. The latter accordingly still has not been turned, its notch remains at the top in position to align with the notch 29W of disc 29!, and the third short-interval marking takes place. 1

During the next-following or fourth quarter turn of the shaft 215 and plural-notch disc 29! the three main parts 29!, 292 and 293 of this unit 299 arrive again in the relative positions as shown in Fig. 11, the connector plate 292 being carried around another quarter turn, to its illustrated position, bringing its radial face 292 into abutting position behind the pin 293 of the single-notch disc 293. The pin 29! of the plural-notch disc 29! has likewise returned to abutting position behind the radial face 29! 11 of the connector plate. The single-notch disc 293 still has not been turned and accordingly, as the notch29! of the pluralnotch disc 29! comes to the top a fourth shortinterval measurement and marking takes place.

Since the parts have now arrived at the position inwhich they turn as a unit, being driven from the shaft 215 through the disc 29!, the connector 292 and onto the single-notch disc 293, a measurement will thereafter have been had only for each revolution of said single-notch disc 293, as its notch 293 comes to the top, at such longer but regular intervals as represented lution of said part 293. I For example, if the' gearing ratio is such that under a slow or long-interval setting of the shift-knob 281 and clutch 219 the shaft 215 and disc unit 299 is revolved once each twenty minutes, then a reading will be made regularly at 20-minute intervals, and the four sub-divided or shortinterval readings as above described occurred at 5-minute-intervals, the first at the end of five minutes, the second at ten minutes, the third at fifteen minutes and the fourth at twenty minutes, with regular readings thereafter only at the longer 20-minute intervals. It will be understood that if the shift-knob 281 and the clutch 219 controlled by it are moved to their fast or shorter-internal setting wherein the shaft 215 is driven at a greater speed, so that the regular marking intervals are cut down to say five minutes, then such quicker or 5-minute intervals may similarly be sub-divided, into four still shorter intervals in the illustrated instance, by adjustment of the control-unit 290 through advancing the setting knob 291 as described. Suchsub-divided readings would then by a single revooccur -at one-and-one half minute intervals, during the initial or other regular interval, whenever said adjustment is made. a I

I To. summarize, the measurement time control mechanism as disclosed-is such as to effect regular mentsandrecordings) at say 5-minute intervals, or alternatively regular long-interval readings, at say 20-minute intervals. This selection is made by .the shift-knob or selector 281 by means of which the clutch member 219 is thrown to couple the shaft 215 for ,low-speed or high-speed operation. The ratio between said short and long intervals depends on the ratio of the described change-speed gearing, which may be other than the 1 to 4 ratio mentioned by way of example. In addition, the control mechanism may be adjusted, by manipulation of the setting knob 291,150 subdivide any regular reading-interval into a number of shorter ones, such sub-division being into four shorter intervals in the illustrated mechanism shown by; way of example. intervalorsubdivided reading periods may be had by providing. a different number of notches, whether two, three, sixor other number, in the plural-notch disc 29!. Accordingly, for example, the machine may be set togive readings at five, ten, fifteen and-twenty minutes from the start of a test and thereafter at the end of "each twenty minutes. Or, using the "fast or short-interval regular readings, it maybe set to read initially at one and one-quarter minutes, two and one-half minutes, three and three-quarter minutes, and five minutes from the start of a test and thereafterat the end of each five minutes. Any subsequent regular marking interval, whether short or long, may be similarly subdivided. It willbe understood thatthelspecific time intervals mentioned, such'as 5-minutes, or ZO-minutes, while found to be convenient periods for wear curve plotting by markings on the chart, are given as examples only, and that other intervals, either shorter or longer,'may be employed, depending on the ratios of the described drive and I gearing mechanism. I a I It will also be noted that, as in the earlier, patented application, there is a very large reduction in the drive of the recorder drum shaft I82, first through the smalland large gears I2 and I! of Fig. 3 and subsequently through three successive worm and worm gear pairs, namely the pair I0, 9, the pair I81, I86 and finally the pair I85, I84. The recorder drum accordingly turns slowly, for example, once each 24, 36 or 48 hours, or some similar period, sothat the one chart may cover such total period. For longer tests, which may extend up to '72 hours or more, larger diametered drums may be used, accommodating a longer chart, or the drive ratio for the drum may be altered to condense the plotted curve circumferentially of the drum.

On Fig. 1 several elements not previously referred to are shown. -These include the lifter hook 390 hung on a short arm 30! on a collar, at the opposite face of the arch from that seen in Fig.1, on a pivot 302 and connected to a hand lever 203. The hook is adapted to engage under short-interval readings (that is, wear measure- Other fractional I an extension of the pivot I23 of the shoe lifter drawn, rendering the lifter mechanism inactive.

Thus, as may be desired for various different materials to be tested, the wearing actionon the specimen may be continuous and without impact, or may be intermittent, for example, thirty-eight engagements per minute, and. with impact. Moreover, by means of the micrometer adjustmentdevice l32-l36 the shoe may be set to operate at any desired level relative to the specimen, and such operation may be with impact or without impact, and either continuous, or intermittent, in either instance. Moreover, by means ,of the adjustable weight I the pressure of the shoe on the specimen may be regulated as desired. For example, in one embodiment the weight of the shoe, having 5 -square inches of wearing surface area and its haft and immediately associated parts, is about 12 lbs. With the otheroperating parts such shoe, with no additional weight at I30 places a total weight on the platen of 30.12 lbs.-or 5.48 lbs.per square inch.- By reason of the leverage involved the addition of a 10 lb. weight at 130' places a total weight, on the platen of 55.22 lbs. or 10 lbs. to the square inch. A 20 lb. weight brings the totalweight on the platen to 80-32 lbs. or 14.7 lbs. per square inch, while a 30 lb. weight places a total weight of 105.42 lbs. on the platen, or-,19.2 lbs. to the square inch. Other desired pressures may be had by adding to orsubtracting from the weight 130.

Referring to the upper right portion. of Fig. 1 a stop motion as there shown is associated with V the feeler measuring mechanism and is adjustable so asautomaticallyto stop. the machine at any desired depth of Wear of the specimen.

Said stop deviceslnclude a contact finger 310 having a threaded upper portion whereby'it is supported with capacity for vertical adjustment in an arm 3 mounted on a stud 3H2 projecting from the arch member 54 and insulated from it as by a non-conducting bushing. The contact finger has an adjusting head 314 at its upper end and a lock nut 3i?) for securing it in adjusted position. Said finger is adapted to engage and make electrical contact with the free end of the upper arm 22E] of the feeler linkage system, thereby to establish a motor-stopping circuit. Raising of said arm be-ing proportional to the down movement of the feeler, the contract finger may be set to stop the machine at any detecting position of the feeler. It will be understood that said arm 220 is electrically grounded on the machine, and the circuit, preferably of low voltage, is through a conductor connected to the stud 3E2 and insulated from the machine and its framing.

Herein on the same stud 3l-2 there is hung a strap 320, in electrical contactwith the stud but insulated from the machine. Atits lower end this strap has a foot 321, Fig. 1, carrying a vertically adjustable threaded contact point or screw 322'. Said contact 322 stands below the lifter arm 98 for the wearer shoe and is adapted to have motor-stopping contact with the latter at any desired level of the shoe during the wearing of a specimen. This contact accordingly may be set to stop the machine either when or just before the specimen is completely worn through or, at any other selected height of the latter. The two described stop motions in effect afford a check one on the other.

The main starting and stopping switch buttons for the machine may be positioned at any convenient point. At the lower left portion of Fig. 2 a switch unit 325 is shown mounted in the edge of the platform 2, and including on and oif buttons 326 and 321 respectively.

Our invention is not limited to the particular embodiments thereof herein illustrated or described, its scope being pointed out in the following claims:

1. Wear measuring and recording mechanism for sheet-material wear-testing apparatus, said mechanism comprising a rotary drum, means to turn the drum predeterminedly during a wearing operation, a recording chart to be marked periodically along points determinative of a wear curve, means for holding the chart in recording position on the drum, feeler mechanism periodically to measure the wear upon a sheet-material test specimen, a marking device adjacent the drum and chart, operating means for the feeler mechanism, and connections between said operating means and the marking device whereby the latter is caused to mark the chart when the feeler mechanism makes a wear measurement.

2. Mechanism for measuring and recording the extent of wear of a sheet-material test specimen disposed fiatwise horizontally and subjected to progressive wearing action, comprising, in combination, a feeler movable vertically to and from contact with the wearing area of the specimen, a recording chart, a device for periodical- 1y marking on the chart, a system of parallel linkage connecting and supporting the feeler and marking device for straight-line vertical movement in parallelism, cam means to elevate and periodically to let down the feeler onto the specimen to measure its wear and correspondingly to position the marking device relative to the chart, the marking device including a point ed element movable toward and from the surface of the chart, and associated means for moving said pointed element to cause it to mark the chart according to each measuring action of the feeler. I

3. Mechanism for measuring the extent of wear of a sheet-material test specimen subjected to progressive wearing action, comprising, in combination, a feeler including a rod guided for longitudinal movement toward and from the worn area of the specimen, an elongated arm having a fixed pivot to one side of the feeler rod and pivotally supporting the latter, a marker rod having an intermediate portion pivoted to said arm, at the other side of the feeler rod, a link having one end pivotally connected at one end of said marker rod and its other end rockably supported on a fixed pivot, said feeler rod, arm, marker rod and link forming a system of parallel linkage in which the feeler and the free end of the marker rod are adapted for parallel straightline movement, means at the free end of the.

trol element and the marking means to effect a marking action ofthe latter attendant on the measuring action of the feeler.

4. Wear measuring and recording mechanism for sheet-material wear-testing apparatus, comprising means presenting a recording surface, an inking needle for marking thereon, a vertically movable feeler to measure the extentof wear by its down movement intoucontact with the Worn area of a test specimen, a linkage system connecting the marking needle and feeler-for parallel movement to proportionate extents, camcontrolled means acting on the linkage system normally to elevate the feeler and periodically allowing it to drop to measure the wear, and mechanism associated with said cam-controlled means positively to engage the marking needle with the recording surface upon each measuring action of the feeler and positively to retract it on return elevation of the feeler by said cam-controlled means.

5. In wear measuring mechanism for sheetmaterial wear-testing apparatus, a feeler positioned to be let down onto and to be withdrawn from the worn area of a test specimen, a pivoted linkage system connected at one end to the feeler,

a lift rod connected at the other end of said system, an actuating cam cooperable with the lift rod so as normally to elevate the latter and the feeler but periodically conditioning them for down measuring movement, a movable finger engageable with the lift rod to hold it up irrespective of the position of said actuating cam, and other cam means periodically disengaging said movable finger from the lift rod to permit a down measuring movement of the latter and the feeler at selected times when they are conditioned thereforby the actuating cam.

6. In wear measuring mechanism according to claim 5, a construction wherein the cam means for acting on the movable finger supporting the lift-rod comprises relatively adjustable cam members and means for varying the relative setting thereof to change the time intervals between measuring movements of the lift-rod and feeler.

7. Wear measuring means for a wear-testing machine for sheet material wherein a specimen is presented on a horizontally disposed specimen holder where it is engaged by a wearing implement, said measuring means comprising a caliper button vertically movably supported above the specimen and normally out of contact with it, means periodically to release and drop said button by gravity into direct contacting engagement with a test area of the specimen to be subjected to wear of progressive depth, and a low-friction universal connection between the button and its support adapting the button to rest on the specimen under the influence of gravity and freely to adjust itself angularly to the contacted underlying surface of the specimen so as to indicate the average height of the contacted area.

8. Wear measuring means for a wear-testing machine for sheet material wherein a specimen is held on a horizontal platen and is acted on by a wearer element engaging the specimen fiatwise, said means comprising a feeler rod mounted for longitudinal vertical movement toward and from the specimen, a disk-like feeler head at the end of the rod adjacent the specimen and having a smooth flat uninterrupted underface, the rod adapted normally to support the feeler head above and out of contact with the specimen and to be released at times to rest on the specimen freely under the influence of gravity, and universalmotion connecting means between the rod and feeler head centrally of the latter enabling the head to tilt upon any diameter thereof as an axis so as automatically to adjust itself by gravity to a contacting position on the specimen significant of the average elevation of the contacted area,

9. In wear measuring and recording mecha nism for sheet-material wear-testing apparatus, a feeler including a fiat member to rest on the test specimenand a supporting rod carrying said member at its lower end, means to mark a recording surface, a system of parallel linkage operatively' connecting the feeler rod and said marking means for proportionate parallel movement, said system including an elongated arm vertically movable about a fixed pivot at the side of the feeler opposite the marking means, a removable pin selectively positionable at a plurality of points at the upper portion of the feeler rod, said arm having an aperture for directly receiving said pin in one position thereof on the feeler rod thereby to connect the feeler and arm to afford a given ratio of movement of the marking means relative to the feeler, and a link pivoted to the arm and apertured to receive said pin in another position thereof on the feeler rod to connect the feeler and arm for a difierent movement ratio of the marking means and feeler, correspondingly to alter the ratio of calibration between the Worn increments measured and the indications thereof on the recording surface.

10. In wear measuring and recording mechanism for sheet-material wear-testing apparatus, a feeler movable perpendicularly to and from contact with the wearing surface of a test specimen to detect the extent of the wear, a marking device movable over a recording surface to indicate thereon the various contact positions of the feeler, an elongated arm having pivotal connection at one end with the marking device and having a fixed pivot at a portion remote from said end, and means for pivotally interconnecting the feeler and said arm at a portion of the latter adjacent its fixed pivot and between the latter and the markingdevice, whereby a given movementof the feeler affords a directly proportionate augmented movement of the marking device.

11. Wear measuring and recording mechanism according to claim 10 wherein the pivotal interconnecting means for the feeler and arm comprises a removable pin and a plurality of differ-. ent receiving formations therefor on the feeler and the arm whereby their interconnection may be varied to afford different angular movement of the arm for a given lineal movement of the feeler, to vary the ratio of movement of the feeler and the marking device.

12. In wear measuring and recording mechanism for sheet-material wear-testing apparatus, a feeler movable perpendicularly to and from contact with the wearing surface of a test specimen to detect the extent of the wear, a marking device movable over a recording surface to indicate thereon the various contact positions of the feeler, an elongated arm having pivotal connection at one end with the marking device and having a fixed pivot at a portion remote from said end, means for pivotally interconnecting the feeler and said arm selectively to obtain one or another of a plurality of movement ratios of the feeler and the marking device, and means for adjusting the initial position of the feeler to conform to the initial plane of contact thereof with a given test specimen.

13. Wear measuring and recording mechanism for sheet-material wear-testing, apparatus, comprising, in combination, a feeler adapted for movement to and from contactwith the wearing surface of a test specimen to measure the extent of wear, a marking device movable over a recording surface, connections between the feeler and the marking device to move the latter proportionately to the measuring movement of the feeler, cam control mechanism normally maintaining the feeler out of contact with the specimen and periodically releasing it for a measuring action thereby, drive means for said feeler control mechanism, a rotary drum presenting said recording surface for the marking device, means to. drive the drum at a constant speed, said feeler control drive means and drum drive means having a common rotary element, and change-speed gearing to vary the speed of-said common element thereby to increase or to de- I crease the frequency of the mesuring actions of the feeler and correspondingly to increase or decrease the speed of the recorder drum.

14. Wear measuring and recording mechanism according to claim 13 includingin combination therewith means additionally, to vary the feeler control mechanism to subdivide a given measuring and marking interval into a number of shorter intervals and to effect measurements and recordings at such shorter intervals.

15. Wear measuring and recording mechanism for sheet-material wear-testing apparatus, comprising, in combination, a feelen adapted for movement to and from contact with the wearing surface, of a test specimen to measure the extent of' wear, a marking device movable over a recording surface, connections between the feeler and the marking device to move the latter proportionately to the measuring movement of the feeler, cam control. mechanism normally maintaining the feelerout of contact with the specimen and periodically releasing it for a measuring action thereby, said control mechanism including a master cam anddrive means therefor conditioning the feeler for release at regular and relatively frequent intervals, and a further control unit to permit a measuring action of the feeler only at selected times when it is conditioned therefor by the master cam.

' 16. Wear measuring and recording mechanism according to claim 15 wherein the secondary or control unit comprises a plurality of rotary plates, one rotatable relative to the other, including a plural-notched short-time plate and a single-notched normal-period plate, together with a variable coupler, said plates cooperating with a common cam roll associated with lever means to release the feeler to control by the master cam, said plates and coupler adapted for rotation as a unit to aiTord measuring actuation for the feeler at regular intervals as determined by the normal-period plate, and means for setting said control unit to subdivide any such regular interval into a number of shorter intervals at which measuring actuation of the feeler is permitted, as determined by the short-time plate, said control unit subsequently automatically resuming its said unitary operation.

17. In wear measuring and recording mechanism for sheet-material wear-testing apparatus, a feeler movable to and from contact with a test specimen to measure its wear, a marker proportionately moved by the feeler, a drum carrying a cylindrically disposed chart over which the marker is moved in the axial direction, a rotary shaft supporting the drum, rotary cam mechanism for controlling the feeler' periodically to afford a measuring and marking actuation thereof, said mechanism including a master cam and a variable time-control unit, a driving element having said master cam fixedthereon, gearing connections between said driving element and the chart drum shaft and between said driving element and the variable time-control unit of the feeler control mechanism, said connections includingchange-speed gearing common both to the drum shaft and to said unit, to increase or decrease the normal measuring and marking intervals and to increase or decrease the chart speed accordingly, operating and position-indicating means for said change-speed gearing, other meansfor adjusting said time-control unit to subdivide a normal measuring and marking interval, whether a longer or a shorter interval as determined by said change-speed gearing, into a plurality of lesser intervals for the feeler and marker actuations, and an indicating device associated with said adjusting means visually to show theelapsed and remaining portions of the normal measuring and marking interval then in progress.

.18. Wear measuring mechanism for sheet material wear-testing apparatus, comprising, in combination, a feeler adapted for movement to and from contact with the wearing surface of a test specimen to measure the extent of wear, control mechanism normally maintaining the feeler out of contact with the specimen and periodically releasing it for a measuring action thereby, said control mechanism including a master release-control element and drive means therefor conditioning the feeler for release at regular and relatively frequent intervals, and a subsidiary control unit to complete the release of the feeler for a measuring action thereby only at selected times when it is conditioned therefor by the master release-control element. :19. Wear measuring apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the said control unit comprises relatively adjustable members effective in one adjusted position to effect said measuring action of the feeler at determined intervals and in another adjusted positionv to subdivide such determined interval into shorter intervals between measuring actions of the feeler.

20. Wear measuring apparatus according to claim 18 including adjusting means operatively associated with the control mechanism selectively to vary the'time intervals between the permitted measuring actions.

21. Wear measuring apparatus according to claim 18 including an indicating device associated with the control mechanism visually to show the elapsed and remaining portions of an interval between measuring actions.

EDGAR F. HATI-IAWAY. WALTER BIXBY. 

